Indian shooter Avani Lekhara, who has created history by winning India’s first Gold medal in Shooting at the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics, won the “Best Female Debut” honour at the 2021 Paralympic Sport Awards. The Awards were announced by the International Paralympic Committee.
- She became the 1st Indian woman to win 2 Paralympic medals in a single edition of the Paralympic Games.
- India won an unprecedented 19 medals at the Paralympic Games including 5 Gold, 8 Silver & 6 Bronze.
Other Winners of 2021 Paralympic Sport Awards:
| Player | Sport | Category |
|---|---|---|
| Adam Peska (Czech Republic) | Boccia | Best Male Debut Winner |
| Diede de Groot (Netherlands) | Tennis | Best Female Athlete |
| Marcel Hug (Switzerland) | Para Athletics | Best Male Athlete |
| Great Britain Rugby team
| Rugby | Best Team |
| Dr Anja Hirschmueller (Germany) | – | Best Official |
Highlights:
i.Avani Lekhara is a 20-year-old shooter from Jaipur, Rajasthan. She has won the gold in the women’s 10m Air Rifle Standing SH1 in 2021.
ii.She also won a bronze in the 50m Rifle Three Positions Standing SH 1 event.
Other Awards & Honors:
i.She was awarded India’s highest sporting honour ‘Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna’ in 2021, along with Olympic medallist Neeraj Chopra & Ravi Kumar Dahiya.
ii.In 2021, the government of Rajasthan nominated Avani Lakhera as the brand ambassador of the ‘Beti Bachao and Beti Padhao’ project under the department of Women and Child Development.
About Paralympics:
- The 1st ever Paralympic games were held in 1960 at Rome, Italy
- Paralympic Symbol consists of 3 ‘Agitos’ (meaning ‘I Move’)
- Motto of 2020 Tokyo Paralympics – “United by Emotion”
- President of International Paralympic Committee – Andrew Parsons
- President of Paralympic Committee of India – Deepa Malik
